Wayne, Neb. – The Northern State University football team fell in their third straight game Saturday, 34-27, to Wayne State College. NSU drops to 0-3 overall, and the Wildcats improve to 2-1. The Wolves scored a season high 27 points, however were unable to hold off the Wayne State offense in the second and fourth quarters.
The Wolves opened the scoring in their first drive of the game. The 12 play drive was capped off with a seven yard
Nicholas Truen run to the goal line. Truen tallied four carries in the 12 plays and a total of 16 carries in the game. A quick defensive stop and the Wolves were back at it with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Adrian Krupka finished off Northern's second drive of the day with a made 26 yard field goal attempt.
Northern was up 10-0 after the first 15 minutes of play. Wayne State answered back with a breakout second quarter tallying three touchdowns, for a total of 20 points. Krupka connected for his second field goal of the day, a 20 yard attempt on the Wolves second drive of the quarter. The two teams entered the locker rooms with Wayne State up 20-13 at half time.
Taylor Houchin recorded his first touchdown of the season a two yard reception from
Kyle Lavand early in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 20 all. Wayne State answered back the next drive with a touchdown of their own, followed by
Kyle Lavand's second touchdown pass of the night. Lavand connected with
Cody Kraft for a 56 yard reception and the Wolves third touchdown of the game. Northern was unable add anything else offensively and ultimately fell to the Wildcats in the final few minutes of play.
Lavand tallied 34 completions on 51 attempts and 365 yards passing in the game.
Conner Doherty lit a spark for the Wolves with 143 yards on 11 receptions, followed by Kraft with 96 yards on four receptions. Truen led the NSU rushing attack with 46 yards and one touchdown.
Cameron Pudwill proved to be a threat yet again on both sides of the ball with a team second best 14 yards rushing on third and short downs, as well as two tackles on the defense.
Channing Barber led the NSU defense with seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss.
Blaine Schmidt,
Taylor Zemlicka,
Brendon Hoellein, and
Devin Olson each recorded five tackles, while Hoellein tallied the Wolves lone sack on the night.
The Barber twins led the Wolves special team with 107 yards returning on five kickoffs.
Zachery Barber had a team leading 77 yards, with his longest attempt of 36 yards to open the second half.
As a team the Wolves doubled Wayne State's first down count with a total of 28 and led the Wildcats in both yards rushing, 61, and yards receiving (365). The offensive line struggled to hold off the Wildcat attack, as NSU quarterback
Kyle Lavand was sacked six times for a total loss of 38. Northern State had their opportunities throughout with 37 minutes of possession time and multiple first and goal situations.
Northern will return home next Saturday, to face Sioux Falls for the annual Gypsy Days game. The Wolves and Cougars will kick-off at 2:30 p.m. from Swisher Field. The annual Gypsy Days tailgate is scheduled to open at 12 p.m. from the South Tailgate Lot.
